This year’s iLembe Book Festival set to revolutionise reading culture in SA

THE iLembe Book Festival returns to the Luthuli Museum in KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal, in October.

- LUTHO PASIYA

The festival was founded by writers Nozizwe Cynthia Jele, Dudu Busani, Sifiso Mzobe and Niq Mhlongo.

The idea for the festival began over lunch when Jele suggested creating a book festival in the iLembe District, noting the absence of literacy programmes in the area.

“It was 2023, and we had both moved from Joburg to Ballito two years earlier. We came from a place where reading culture is strong to a place where it was nonexistent. As writers, we felt we had a responsibility to change that,” said Busani.

Busani reflected on how her own journey shaped the festival's vision.

“I started writing and publishing at a time when the perception was that black people don’t read. Over the years, that has changed, not because people suddenly started reading, but because books began telling stories that reflect the lives of the majority of South Africans.”

“This festival focuses on township and rural communities because the lack of reading culture can be changed.”

The founders said the festival’s mission is simple.